Local newspapers have published articles and news related to our project

Read them at the following link (only in Spanish)

1. March 22nd, 2023. "9 tips and tricks to save and reuse water" Interview with Santiago Nuñez and presentation of the main objectives.

Read it here https://elmercurio.com.ec/2023/03/22/agua-recomendaciones-cuidado-hogar/

2. May 28th, 2023. "SWACH: Sustainble water management in southern Ecuador", by Ana Elizabeth Ochoa, project coordinator. 

Read it here http://elmercurio.com.ec/.../swach-manejo-sostenible-agua/

CALL FOR PhD STUDENT POSITION

Sustainable water management under climate change in Southern Ecuador – SWACH, launched by University of Azuay, University of Cuenca and KU Leuven offers a:

PhD student position

To develop proposals in drinkable water adaptative management in Cuenca city under climate change scenarios.

On Sunday, May 25, SWACH took part in the “We Move for Water 6K” Athletic Festival, organized by ETAPA-EP at El Paraíso Park. More than just a sporting event, this symbolic race served as a powerful reminder that millions of people around the world walk over 6 kilometers a day just to access water.

From our information booth, we engaged with participants by sharing practical water-saving tips, promoting our water consumption monitoring app, and presenting educational tools for the protection of this vital resource. We also invited the public to join the #BlueAction campaign; an initiative designed to raise awareness and inspire lasting behavioral changes in favor of water sustainability.

The event brought together families, youth, and adults in a shared atmosphere of commitment and reflection on the importance of valuing every drop. For the SWACH team, participating in this initiative was a meaningful opportunity to strengthen our connection with the community and continue building a citizen-led network for water action.

Because protecting water begins with every step… and every drop counts.

Cuenca’s Youth Take a Firm Step Toward Water Protection. At SWACH, we proudly celebrate the recognition of Leydi Gutama and Santiago Plaza, Environmental Engineering students at the University of Azuay and active members of our project. They have been selected as winners of the Second Youth Climate Action Call, organized by the Municipality of Cuenca in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Their proposal, titled "Youth in Action for Water – SWACH," received the highest scores in sustainability, feasibility, and innovation, standing out among numerous youth-led initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges of climate change.

Thanks to this recognition, the team will receive a micro-grant to support the implementation of concrete actions that will complement and strengthen SWACH’s ongoing efforts in Cuenca’s communities to promote a culture of water conservation, responsible management, and long-term sustainability.

At SWACH, we believe that change begins with fresh ideas and committed youth.

This achievement not only motivates our entire team but also sends a powerful message: young people play a key role in shaping sustainable solutions for the present and future of water.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Leydi and Santiago for their dedication, commitment, and transformative vision. Their work is an inspiration to keep moving forward — with science, community participation, and love for our most precious resource.

As part of the SWACH project, a study is being conducted on residential drinking water demand in the city of Cuenca. The study focuses on three pilot neighborhoods, with the objective of gathering information on household water use habits and perceptions. It also aims to collaboratively identify, together with residents, strategies for responsible water consumption that they are willing to implement.      
The following criteria were defined for the selection of neighborhoods:

• Predominantly residential land use and supplied by ETAPA-EP through the Tomebamba System (with a prevalence of single-family homes, low levels of commercial activity, and no industrial or agricultural activities).
• Presence of social organization (leadership, neighborhood association) and a clearly defined territorial identity. 
• Common sociodemographic characteristics within each neighborhood, but distinct from one another (e.g., lot size, population density, presence of state welfare beneficiaries). 
• Internet connectivity and, preferably, location within the area of influence of the University of Azuay.

Based on these criteria, the neighborhoods Casa para Todos, La Prensa, and Villanueva were selected. During assemblies convened by their respective leadership, the neighborhoods agreed to participate in the SWACH project.

To gather information on consumption habits and perceptions, a survey consisting of 65 questions was developed. These questions were organized into categories related to: household characteristics and family composition; perceptions of water consumption; household activities and practices that require water; perceptions of water availability under climate change scenarios; and willingness to adopt changes in consumption habits.

The surveys were conducted between May and June 2023, involving a total of 850 participants across family groups in the following neighborhoods: 

110 from Casa para Todos

62 from La Prensa

63 from Villanueva

The number of surveys per neighborhood was determined based on the number of properties/water meters. The survey process was supported by Environmental Engineering students from the University of Azuay (UDA), while students from the University of Cuenca assisted with manual water meter readings on a weekly basis over a five-month period. 

As of October 2024, we are in the process of identifying “pilot households” within the three neighborhoods. Through home visits, more in-depth information is being collected on water use patterns, habits, frequency, and housing characteristics that influence water consumption.

In parallel with the analysis of data collected through SWACH, we are also analyzing water consumption records provided by ETAPA-EP.

Preliminary Results

SURVEY DATA SUMMARY: 

• 57% do not know how many cubic meters of water they consume per month.

 • 57% are unaware of the existence of differentiated water tariffs.

 • 96% wash dishes by hand. 

• 90.7% of households cook at home.

 • 91% of households drink tap water directly. 

• 56.6% believe their water supply comes from El Cajas National Park and the páramo ecosystem. 

• 87.6% express concern about the future availability of water. 

• 82% of households use gas water heaters. 

• 15.7% use electric showers. 

• 81% report not washing any vehicles at home. 

• The average shower time across the three neighborhoods is 10 minutes. 

• 75% are willing to use rainwater. 

• 74% use a washing machine.

Historical Average Water Consumption in the Three Neighborhoods: 

An analysis of water consumption data provided by ETAPA-EP from 2008 to May 2024 reveals a slight decrease in the average household consumption, from 23 m³ to 21 m³ per month.

MONTHLY CONSUMPTION 2008–2023 IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF CASA PARA TODOS, LA PRENSA, VILLANUEVA

Source: ETAPA-EP. Developed by: SWACH

Daily Water Supply (in Liters) for the Three Neighborhoods: 

Analyzing the consumption data reported by ETAPA-EP in relation to the number of inhabitants per household, based on information collected by SWACH, we observe a trend indicating a directly proportional relationship: The greater the number of people per household, the lower the per capita consumption.

This graph also reveals a significant difference among the neighborhoods, with households of four persons exhibiting the most homogeneous consumption pattern.

Source: ETAPA-EP and SWACH

Developed by: SWACH

If you would like to learn more about SWACH and the potable water demand study conducted in the three selected neighborhoods, as well as possible strategies for responsible consumption, please contact us at: swach@uazuay.edu.ec.

Developed by: SWACH Social Team

Historical Rainfall Observations in the Paute River Basin: Correction of the RAIN4PE Product Using All Available In-situ Stations (ETAPA, INAMHI, iDRHiCA, UDA, and CELEC).

Climate Change Indicators for the 2021–2050 Period Based on Existing Projections for Ecuador (MAATE, NASA, Fernández-Palomino, 2024).

On November 23, 2024, Deportivo Cuenca played its final home game of the year. It was a calm Saturday in Cuenca, but something unexpected happened during halftime. A flash of lightning and the sound of thunder echoed through the stadium stands. Strangely enough, the crowd's immediate reaction was one of joy. Spectators cheered with excitement as if a goal had been scored and applauded with smiles on their faces. It is even rumored that a few tears ran down the cheeks of some Cuencanos.              
 

This was a reflection of the emotional state and the new significance of rain in a city that, just days before, had organized a procession with the “Señor de las Aguas” (Lord of the Waters) to pray for an end to the drought. Since July of this year, Ecuador has been going through one of its darkest moments—literally. The country has experienced power outages lasting up to 14 hours a day. The regional drought affected Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, but its impacts were felt especially in Ecuador due to its vulnerability and lack of planning. Moreover, it can be assumed that the effects on the rivers have worsened due to the preceding drought at the end of 2023. In this context, a common question among Ecuadorians was: “When will it rain in Cuenca’s rivers?” This area is of national interest because it feeds the Paute River, which powers Ecuador’s main hydroelectric complex: Paute Integral.              
 

Motivated by this need, our SWACH team began investigating if we could contribute. Even though, our expertise and focus are centered on climate change and climate projections, we could not ignore the reality of the crisis and decided to search for a weather forecasting alternative that would be accessible and easy to interpret for decision-makers. While browsing online, we came across the World Climate Service portal. In one of their blog posts, they discussed the relationship between the Tropical North Atlantic Index and drought in the Amazon. Additionally, their website highlighted their scientific credentials and offered a free trial to explore the platform. Their slogan caught our attention: “If you knew then what we knew then.” We wanted to know what they knew!             
 

We reached out via email and received a response from Jan Dutton, PhD, CEO of Prescient Weather Ltd. After explaining the dramatic situation our country was facing, they generously offered us free access to their forecasting system for several months. We then had a virtual meeting demonstrating the use of the tool and agreed to use it to support national-level decision-making. Although, we as researchers are not directly responsible for those processes, we are in contact with various regional institutions and wanted to contribute in any way with our grain of sand.              
 

In short, World Climate Service offers two types of forecasts: seasonal and sub-seasonal. The former focuses on climate conditions for the next 1 to 6 months. It is important to note that these are not weather forecasts, but rather predictions of climate conditions being average, above, or below average. The latter—sub-seasonal forecasts—provide weather and climate predictions for the next six weeks. Due to the country’s urgent needs, these sub-seasonal forecasts were the ones we explored most.

Informally, we have shared these forecasts with representatives from various national institutions. We even circulated the forecast images among hydrology professionals to promote their use. Although there are currently many alternative portals and seasonal forecasts, we noticed a strong interest in products that are easy to access and interpret and that bring together multiple sources of information in one place. Anecdotally, we were able to verify the spatial accuracy of the forecasts during the week of October 21–27. That week heavy rainfall  occurred in the cantons of Paute and Guachapala (east of Cuenca), but no rain fell in the highlands of Cajas, which supply Cuenca’s drinking water. Days earlier, we had shared the forecast with officials and analyzed that the drought would not be as widespread in the southern region, but rather would be concentrated in the upper Paute basin (west), while normal conditions were expected in the lower basin (east). Although this may have seemed like good news for citizens, in reality, it complicated the water supply situation.

Figure 1. Weekly forecast of abnormal precipitation probabilities based on the multi-model ensemble.

Continuing with the review, the portal includes a quantitative verification tool that compares forecasts with observed data using ERA5 reanalysis data. While we are aware that the spatial resolution and accuracy of this product in the Andean region are limiting factors, it nonetheless allows for an estimation of its performance. Future research could incorporate local data to better assess the accuracy of the forecasts. For now, we present in the images two weeks of forecast verification. Both negative and positive precipitation anomalies were accurately predicted in the southern region.

Figure 2. Verification between Weekly Forecasts with Negative (Left) and Positive (Right) Precipitation Anomalies

In addition to climate forecasts, the WCS (World Climate Service) portal provides access to forecasts of climate indices, tools for assessing model skill and performance, and a particularly promising feature for climate condition analysis known as the Climate Index Analogues. This tool allows users to filter historical years that exhibited specific climate conditions during selected months and view the percentage of those years that experienced anomalies in temperature, precipitation, wind, or radiation.

For instance, users can filter what years have had had a strongly positive ENSO index and examine the expected global anomalies associated with those conditions. It is a known fact that the years hit by El Niño phenomenon are typically associated with heavy rainfall along Ecuador’s coast.

Figure 3. Percentage of the years with Precipitation Anomalies during a Strong El Niño Event (Left) and a Very High TNA (Right)

Likewise, we identified a pattern that is not widely studied or recognized but appears to be related to the 2024 drought. When filtering for years with a strongly positive Tropical North Atlantic (TNA) index between June and October, we observed that precipitation tends to be below normal in the Ecuadorian Amazon between August and October. This is precisely what occurred in 2024.  

Throughout this period, we have made efforts to share this tool with institutions in Cuenca and Quito. We are aware that efforts are being coordinated to enable institutions to access these services in real time and on a continuous basis. Regardless of the agreement modality between providers and institutions, at SWACH we reaffirm the importance of integrating climate services into decision-making processes. It is essential to incorporate scientific evidence, numerical data, probabilities, and uncertainties into short-, medium-, and long-term water resource planning in order to support national development and avoid repeating such a dark chapter in our history.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• Bohon, C. (2024) Índice del Atlántico Tropical Norte. Impactos inmediatos // Tropical North Atlantic (TNA) Index: Immediate Impacts. Blog de World Climate Service. Disponible en: https://www.worldclimateservice.com/2024/09/11/tropical-north-atlantic-index/
• Pérez, B. (2024, 20 de noviembre). El «Señor de las Aguas» trajo lluvia a Cuenca. Diario El Mercurio. Disponible en: https://elmercurio.com.ec/2024/11/20/el-senor-de-las-aguas-trajo-lluvia-a-cuenca/
• Diario El Comercio. (2024, 22 de octubre). Cuenca registró lluvias la tarde de este martes 22 de octubre ¿Cuál es la situación de sus ríos? Disponible en: https://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/ecuador/cuenca-lluvias-rios.html 
• Portal World Climate Service disponible en: https://www.worldclimateservice.com/

Santiago Núñez Mejía             
Doctoral Researcher, SWACH Project. 

On Saturday, March 15, a group of community members benefiting from the SWACH project took part in an educational and enriching visit to the El Cebollar Plant, which was made possible with the support of ETAPA EP.

During the visit, participants learned firsthand about the process of drinking water intake, collection, and purification that supplies our city. They also hiked to one of the water intake points and enjoyed a picnic surrounded by nature, taking time to reflect on the importance of protecting this vital resource.

Such activities help to strengthen public awareness about the responsible use of water and encourage concrete actions within households and communities.

Protecting water begins with understanding its value. 

We remain adding on through #AcciónAzul (#BlueAction).

On March 21, SWACH took part in the Third National Youth Water Forum, held in Cuenca and organized by FONAPA, UNESCO, CESFO, and the Ecuadorian Youth Water Network.

This event brought together young people from across the country who are committed to climate action, providing a space for reflection and the development of ideas related to water, climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and youth participation in scientific and community-based initiatives.

SWACH played an active role in the working groups, where discussions focused on the importance of integrating an environmental perspective into all proposals and on strengthening the capacities of young people to design and implement sustainable initiatives, both with and for their communities.

The forum served as a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences, hear new voices, and continue promoting active citizenship in the defense of water and climate.

We remain adding on through #AcciónAzul (#BlueAction).